How to Grow Sweet Marjoram

Sweet Marjoram grows between 1 and 2 feet tall with bush-like characteristics. The gray-green leaves give a velvety feel and white flowers cluster on spikes. Typically, the herb grows as an annual though in certain warmer climates it's a perennial plant. Grow Sweet Marjoram for culinary use in meats and vegetables. The herb adds an oregano flavor with a touch of balsam.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Sweet marjoram seeds
• Sweet marjoram plants
• Mulch
• Water hose
• Knife
• Growing container
• Buckets
• Boxes
• Pots
• Garden shovel

1. Buy Sweet Marjoram seeds or potted plants from a nursery or home and garden outlet.

2. Grow in a location that has nearly full sun and rich well-drained soil. Add organic matter to the soil as needed. Remove weeds in the planting area.

3. Sow seeds thinly on top of the ground after first frost. The seeds germinate by direct sun.

4. Space plants a foot apart and continue weeding during the season.

5. Water frequently during dry spells. The plants tend to dry quickly without water. Under normal conditions, keep the soil slightly dry to moist.

6. Pinch back stems for a bushier plant. Use the leaves anytime. Sweet Marjoram grows quickly.

7. Harvest stems and leaves when flowers appear for the best flavor. Cut the plant down with a knife allowing 4 inches to remain. The plant continues growing for a second harvest.

Tips & Warnings

• Get a jump on spring by planting seeds indoors 6 weeks before the last frost for your growing zone. Spread seeds on garden soil in a container and light artificially or through a window. Keep the soil moist at all times.
• Cover plants if a late spring frost develops. Use buckets or boxes to place over the plants, add a leaf mulch if available. Bring potted plants indoors.
• After the first frost of fall or winter, cut the plant 1 inch above ground. Cover the plants with a mulch of leaves and clippings before wintertime. The plants might not return in the spring in colder climates. Dig up the plant with a garden shovel, repot and bring it in the house to grow during the winter.
• The plant has few disease and insect problems.